Claiming Macie (Crave and Claimed 2)

He often broached the subject of her studies, but she had grown used to changing the subject.

“I don’t want to wait,” he said.

Macie cut the edge of the brownie and turned in his arms, feeding him a piece. “Then let’s not wait.”

Chapter Seven

Wilson wasn’t an idiot.

He was aware Macie was hiding her college stuff from him. The answering machine message that was left by her teacher was a clear indication of that. In the past month, Macie hadn’t gone to college once. She hadn’t studied, at least, not when he saw her. Whenever he asked her about her work, she always had a reason or excuse not to do it.

She was failing. Her teachers were all concerned about her.

Macie was in the kitchen, cooking them dinner while he was in their bedroom, looking through the closet to find her bag. She’d hidden it behind his safe. He’d given her the combination. Inside his safe, he had two guns, a few files, and money in case of emergencies. He didn’t like to go through life without being prepared for potential problems he might face.

Pulling out her old, faded bag, he opened it, and there inside was her work.

He grabbed her books and flicked through them. Her writing was legible but just about. Looking through each book, he saw she struggled.

Wilson got to his feet, dropping the bag on the floor and heading to the kitchen.

He stood in the doorway, his hand behind his back that held her books.

She smiled at him. “Dinner is nearly ready. Just waiting for the steaks to finish.”

“Good. Then tell me about this.” He clicked the answering machine message and dropped the books onto the counter.

“Macie, it’s Professor Flint. I speak for all of your teachers when I say we are concerned. You have not been to a single class in over a month. I know you were struggling, and you were worried, but we do believe that we can—”

“Stop it,” Macie said. The smile on her face dropped.

There was no reason to continue playing it. He deleted the message and looked at her.

“I don’t know how they got this number,” Macie said.

“Simple. When you moved in with me, I called everyone that would need your phone number and forwarding address,” he said.

“You didn’t have to do that, and you shouldn’t be worrying about any of this, okay? It’s nothing.”

“Macie, your education isn’t nothing. I’ve asked you why you haven’t been attending, and now I find out that you’re lying to me.”

“I’m going to quit,” she said. “There, I said it. This isn’t important because I’m not going to keep on doing the same thing. I … I can’t do the work. I’m failing left and right. It is … impossible. I told you I was stupid and you’ve seen it. I can’t do it.”

“You’re not stupid,” he said.

Tears filled her eyes. “Yes, I am. Look at this.” She picked up the book and held it open. “I don’t understand any of it. I wanted to. I thought if I had extra time I could finally do this, but I can’t.” She threw the book across the room, followed by the next one.

He saw her pain, the desperation, and what upset him even more was her giving up.

Wilson rushed to her, pulling her into his arms.

“I’m thick. I’m stupid. I can’t do anything, and you are going to hate me. You’re going to see how dumb I am.” She started to sob, covering her face with her hands.

He held her tightly against him. “You’re not stupid.”

“Yes, I am.”

He kissed the top of her head. “No, you’re not. Do you think math is easy for everyone? It’s not. Believe me. There are so many dumb rules and conversions.”

She nodded. “Yeah, what is all that about? Why does it matter what everything is? I can’t remember it, and I try. I try so hard.”

“That’s the point, Macie. You’re trying so hard that you’re not remembering anything. There is no rule now that you’re an adult on how long it’s going to take. I know you, and giving up is not in your nature.”

Macie looked at him, and a little hiccup left her. Her face was flushed from the tears. “You don’t hate me?”

“Why would I hate you?”

“Look at who you are. Look at what you achieved. I have nothing. I am nothing.”

“You’re not nothing,” he said. He cupped her face and forced her to look at him. “You’re mine. Say it.”

“What?”

“You’re mine.”

“I’m yours?” she asked.

“Yes. You’re mine. Now, finish those steaks. We’re going to sit down, and I’m going to look through your work and see where I can help you. You’re not going to quit school because you forget, Macie. I was there when you did pass a test. Remember?”

He did.

She had been so damn excited. She had shown him the results and held it against her chest with such pride.